Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

[Wynette]

So sorry to barge in-- I really need your help guys.
I got maran eggs (supposed to be show quality etc) from 3 sources
They are so different.

These chicks (which I assume would be blue) but look totally different than my other blues...
Look how heavy its feathering is on the shanks!! Have you ever seen such a thing? It also has more white on it than I remember seeing with the others.

I was going to cull these but I realize it's early. They aren't even fully feathered out yet.


So:
Don't keep these?
Also could it be mixed with something or a different breed?
Thanks!!!

I would certainly not cull these at this point; it's awfully early to know for sure. HOWEVER - their shank feathering is definitely much too heavy. That is not a DQ, though. As far as them looking different as chicks, different breeders breed for different things after they breed to standard. For example, I prefer a larger bird, so I cull - after cutting for the standard - to size.

I would like to point out, though, to AVOID purchasing from anyone selling "show quality" hatching eggs - there is absolutely NO WAY to know if a chick will end up being exhibition quality. Maybe you're just using the term loosely, as in, the breeder has had success in the show ring...

Also, even if the parent stock are proven winners, that doens't mean their offspring will be. To assume that EVERY chick hatched will be exhibition quality is just silly. I have birds that are proven in the show pen, yet I only keep about 10-15% of what I hatch for breeding purposes. Why? Because I want to move my flock forward each and every breeding season. I couldn't do that if I kept each & every chick that hatched.

So, my advice is to give them some time to mature before making cull decisions. I am no expert, but you're asking for feedback, so there's mine, FWIW.

 

[Wynette]

What subdivision of the APA Continental Class are marans put into? There are:
Northern Europe (barnevelders, campines, hamburgs, lakenvelders, welsummers)
Polish (polish)
French (houdans, crevecoeurs, la flèche, faverolles)

French Marans are obviously from France, but fit in more so with the Northern European birds. So I wasn't sure.

Thanks,
Preston

Hi, Preston - they don't fit in more with European; Faverolles and Marans are very similar in my opinion.

And even not far from Lafleche, size and purpose wise.

 

[OneMountainAcres]

Thought I'd get some pictures up

the boys, Blue and Joel:

The girls Luna and Midnight:

Everyone is 10 weeks old tomorrow

 

[jtbass2756]

I'm such a proud Army mom today! We are headed to a little town of Norlina, NC to hear my career Army son speak at the Veteran's Day service at their cemetery. He has one more year before retirement and has always been proud to serve where ever he has been sent. However, he is so looking forward to retirement. Even as a 12 yr old, he would be one of a group who put flags on the graves of our veterans. He's a good "kid".....(always my kid...only son)

 

[blackbirds13]

I'm such a proud Army mom today! We are headed to a little town of Norlina, NC to hear my career Army son speak at the Veteran's Day service at their cemetery. He has one more year before retirement and has always been proud to serve where ever he has been sent. However, he is so looking forward to retirement. Even as a 12 yr old, he would be one of a group who put flags on the graves of our veterans. He's a good "kid".....(always my kid...only son)

Congratulations to the both of you. I was in the Marine Corps as was my husband and my two eldest served in the Navy as did their dad, my ex-husband who retired from the Navy. It's something we are all proud of having done. I have 4 boys and 1 grandson so may still be more in line. Have a wonderful time.

 

[gander007]

I'm such a proud Army mom today! We are headed to a little town of Norlina, NC to hear my career Army son speak at the Veteran's Day service at their cemetery. He has one more year before retirement and has always been proud to serve where ever he has been sent. However, he is so looking forward to retirement. Even as a 12 yr old, he would be one of a group who put flags on the graves of our veterans. He's a good "kid".....(always my kid...only son)

Right On ....

I served in the Army and medically retired 100% and Infantry All the Way 101st ABN AST, 25th Inf, 2nd Inf, 8th Inf, 1st AD, and again 101ABN AST and 12 + years over sea's my Father 77th Infantry Division I believe it was the 306th Inf Battalion in WWII in the Pacific and his 3 brothers all served Infantry in WWII and many other family members served in Korea the Nam and to this day ...

My hat is off to your Boy for serving ....

 

[DMRippy]

Thank you ALL for your Service to this great Country!

 

[clankeyes]

I'm such a proud Army mom today! We are headed to a little town of Norlina, NC to hear my career Army son speak at the Veteran's Day service at their cemetery. He has one more year before retirement and has always been proud to serve where ever he has been sent. However, he is so looking forward to retirement. Even as a 12 yr old, he would be one of a group who put flags on the graves of our veterans. He's a good "kid".....(always my kid...only son)

Hello If your on FaceBook and not already on it. There is a group called Proud Military Moms. My daughter is in the AF in NC . Thank you for your son's service and your families sacrifice

 

[jtbass2756]

Hello If your on FaceBook and not already on it. There is a group called Proud Military Moms. My daughter is in the AF in NC . Thank you for your son's service and your families sacrifice

Wow.....I didn't know that...thank you

 

[Hangtown Farms]

I'm such a proud Army mom today! We are headed to a little town of Norlina, NC to hear my career Army son speak at the Veteran's Day service at their cemetery. He has one more year before retirement and has always been proud to serve where ever he has been sent. However, he is so looking forward to retirement. Even as a 12 yr old, he would be one of a group who put flags on the graves of our veterans. He's a good "kid".....(always my kid...only son)

wonderful story.